The entrance through the tree-lined, beautifully manicured 18 hole golf course hints to what lies ahead at Tewkesbury Park. This impressive 18th century property, with some later additions, sits proudly above the town of Tewkesbury, famous for its battle in 1471. Over the last couple of years, under new ownership, the hotel has undergone a major renovation and refurbishment, resulting in a warm, welcoming and stylish space to relax and unwind.

A family feel

Being independent and family-owned, the hotel has a homely feel achieved through a warm and luxurious style and a high level of attention to the finishing touches. In the bedrooms, for example, guests can enjoy the turn down service of having a late-afternoon hot water bottle in their bed creating a tailor made yet relaxed experience.

The brief

The overall brief was to design a timeless yet luxurious and welcoming hotel. Locally-based architectural and interior design company, ADS Design, worked on the bedrooms, new Costwolds Suite and Berkeley Bar and Jane Clayton & Company designed the lobby, bar, lounge and orangery.

Colour and pattern

Golden honey hues with a contrasting bold blue fills the lobby space with a warm, stylish atmosphere changing to richer mustard and teal tones in the lounge area. The use of geometric pattern links the areas, as seen in the chevron pattern on the panel behind reception, the tiling at the bar and on the carpet in the lounge area, adding a classic yet contemporary touch.

Fresh interior spaces

Interspersed between the lounge area and the light-filled orangery are bespoke shelving walls with carefully curated objects, books and plants, creating areas of interest with a relaxed feel. These line the walls alongside small cosy seating areas encouraging guests to explore the environment whilst relaxing in the plush sofas and chairs. The use of plants on the shelves and in the orangery link the sweeping views of the golf course and beyond to the fresh and airy space inside.

The function suite

The Cotswolds suite is a large function room and exclusive-use bar accommodating both wedding and business functions, flexible enough to be used for a whole range of events. Through the use of moveable walls, the area can be divided into three smaller spaces, with a feature stone clad wall at one end and a multi-screen video wall at the other. The full height glazing on both aspects fills the interior with light and at night the flood-lit surrounding landscape provides drama. Electronic blinds were installed to these windows to provide privacy when required and shade in summer. A patio area wraps around the exterior of the function room and bar with seating, patio heaters to keep the chill off and a pizza oven area for al fresco dining.

Linking the past and present

The main building hosts nine historic suites complete with Hypnos beds, double-ended baths, bathroom TVs and views over the Malvern Hills with a further 84 bedrooms in the adjoining wing, all furnished in calming and sophisticated colours. The suites are named after key characters from the Battle of Tewkesbury with reference to the area’s history also reflected in subtle elements of the new Berkeley Bar. Here the carpet design and Tudor inspired motif of the back bar tiling are a nod to the town’s medieval past.

There’s a strong link to present day Tewkesbury too as the hotel is keen to support local producers and makers as much as possible. With artwork by local artists, locally sourced produce and drinks on the menu, it’s this mix of the past with the present that is clearly a winning combination.

Helen is a fabric designer and lives with her husband and two sons near Bath. She grew up by the sea in Cornwall and is reinventing a modern coastal look of interiors with her debut collection in a minimal graphic design inspired style. Passionate about pattern, Helen is constantly capturing images on her phone for potential design inspiration.